As a proud and loyal Maine Democrat, and an equally proud and loyal Barack Obama supporter, I just want to thank Jennifer DeChant for upholding the vote of the people and coming out in support of Obama. Anyone else hoping to hear from Mike Michaud soon?
The following is a newsletter from Maine's Penobscot County Democratic Committe:
With more than 44,000 Mainer's braving wintery weather to cast their vote for a Democratic nominee - we sent a signal to Maine Republicans - not only are we going to keep Maine blue, we're going to take back a US Senate seat to help build a working majority in the Senate!This newsletter update is a first of a series of that will be going out this year as the campaign moves into full swing. This year we'll see the largest, most comprehensive coordinated campaign in Maine's history.
I want to encourage everyone, in every town to consider how you can make a difference. We're building municipal and regional committees throughout the county and a campaign office opening in Bangor this week providing everyone with plenty of options about how to get connected and involved.
The energy and excitement runs deep this year in Maine and around the country. We need to capitalize on that energy to send a strong message to the nation - Maine is no longer Bush/Cheney/McCain/Collins country. We're standing up and taking America back.
Jim Martin, ChairPenobscot County Democratic Committeehttp://penobscotdems.org/
Thank you Governor Bill Richardson on that glowing endorsement of Barack Obama!
YES WE CAN!!
Although most speeches are considered "just words"...the words spoken today by Barack Obama just may be the most important words that I've heard in my lifetime.
I believe we have witnessed history here today. Years from now people will be referring to this speech as one of the most memorible political speeches of our time.
Just words...Indeed!
I know this has been posted before, but I think every person should get a chance to see this a cappella version of Yes We Can performed by a group of students from Lewis and Clark college in Portland, Oregon.
Watch this every day and I guarantee you'll stay inspired no matter what the day brings. These students Ba-ROCK!
After enduring record amounts of snowfall here in Maine, the weather forecast called for 3 to 6 inches of snow today. Although the day started out gray and gloomy, we didn't get the snow in my town and now the sun is shining bright.
Kind of reminds me of the way things are around here at times; the days may start out all gray and gloomy, and then end up with bright sunshine. That ray of glorious sunshine in non other than Barack Obama. He always seems to be able to lift us all up when other things try to take us down. We need to reaffirm our belief in him, and our belief in HOPE and CHANGE!
Barack Obama IS that ray of sunshine we all desire and we all deserve! YES WE CAN!
Someone on another thread asked for a roll call of Obama supporters. I decided to make a pledge for Obama and urge others to do the same:
I, Fred Ireland, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as a Barack Obama supporter , according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably, to the rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of the United States of America - So help me God.
It's all in fun, but as part owner of this campaign, I feel it is my duty to take this oath to prove to Barack that I'll support him no matter what...all the way to the White House.
The following is an official response to my letter asking Congressman Mike Michaud (superdelegate from Maine) to follow the lead of Maine voters and endorse Barack Obama:
Dear Fred:
My congressional office is in receipt of your letter in regard to campaign or political issues. Please be advised that Members of Congress are prohibited from using official resources, directly or indirectly, for campaign and/or political purposes. I am therefore forwarding your letter to my campaign committee for response. I am sure that you will be hearing from the committee soon.
With warmest regards,
Michael H. MichaudMember of Congress
With all due respect to Congressman Michaud, I don't think I'll hold my breath.
Just wanted to post a few quotes from the first woman ever to have her name placed in nomination for the Presidency at a major party's convention. (1964 Republican convention, won by Barry Goldwater.)
"My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned, not bought."
~ Margaret Chase Smith (Dec. 14, 1897 - May 29, 1995)
H. Clinton and G. Ferraro could have learned a thing or two from this moderate republican from Maine.
The following is a letter to the editor in response to a letter bashing Barack's patriotism:
Dear Editor,
With all due respect to Cheryl Baillargeon, and her opinion of Barack Obama, I feel I can help answer some of the questions she has asked in her letter to the editor on 3/13/08.
The picture of Obama that she has alluded to was taken during the National Anthem, not during the Pledge of Allegiance. This story was part of a smear campaign started after Obama announced his decision to run for President. Obama has said, “My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2…during the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the National Anthem you sing.” Obama has also voted to require the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited each school day by students in secondary education institutions that are publicly funded. Barack Obama is a patriot who loves his flag and his country.
The following quote is attributed to three retired generals in the U.S. military:
“As you may have seen, vicious smears are being circulated in anonymous emails attacking Sen. Obama’s patriotism. These accusations are outrageous. As retired generals in the U.S. military, we know something about patriotism, and Sen. Obama is one of the most deeply patriotic Americans we know.”
It seems the experience that Obama is up against right now is Sen. Clinton’s 8 years as First Lady. Just because I’ve lived with my wife for 23 years, does not mean I am qualified to manage a restaurant any more than she would have the experience to build a fireplace because she has lived with me. No person has the experience to be president unless they have done it before themselves. George Bush had experience going into his second term and look where that has gotten us. Barack Obama is the only candidate that can reach across party lines and reunite the country back to its greatness once viewed by the rest of the world.
For anyone that is interested in knowing the FACTS, you can log onto BarackObama.com and click on issues. The answers to these questions and many more can be found there. I respect anyone’s decision on who they vote for, but for something as important as President of the United States, I would hope that decision is not based on false accusations or innuendo.
Fred Ireland
The following is an email I just sent to Congressman Mike Michaud of Maine:
Congressman Michaud,As someone who I feel has best represented my views in Congress, I need to ask for your help or at least your opinion. As an elected delegate to the Maine Democratic Convention in support of Barack Obama, I urge you to follow the lead of the majority of the voters in Maine and publicly endorse Obama.I'm not trying to put undue added pressure on you as a superdelegate, but I fear the Democratic Party is being torn to shreds by the tactics being utilized by the Clinton campaign. The last straw, in my opinion, was when Sen. Clinton said John McCain was more suited to be commander-in-chief than Barack Obama. This just goes against all that I believe is right with the Democratic Party.If you feel you can not endorse Obama at this time, I will respect your decision. I would, however, be very appreciative of an explanation. We as a party have to move on and focus on the general election with John McClain before it is too late.Respectfully,Fred Ireland
The following is being reposted for Julie Waterbury:
The State of Maine has 9 super delegates. I encourage you to write to the super delegates so that your vote is not overturned. Your super delegates are: Jennifer DeChant, John Knutson, Sam Spencer, Marianne Stevens, and Distinguished Party Leaders Ken Curtis and George Mitchell. You can write to them in care of Democratic National Committee 430 S. Capitol St. SE Washington, DC 20003 Also, Gov. John Baldacci, US House Representatives Thomas Allen and Mike Michaud are also super delegates. Every vote counts. Make every vote count.
During the Maine caucus on Feb. 9th, the voters in Rep. Tom Allen's congressional district 1 overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama 1163 to 681 for Clinton. If Congressman Allen expects the voters of Maine to believe that he will be a true voice for them if he is elected to the Senate, then he certainly should be a voice for his constituents now in CD1 by endorsing Barack Obama as soon as possible.
Just think of the push this could give him in his race against Susan Collins.
Now would be a good time for Rep. Tom Allen to come out and announce his support of Barack Obama as a Maine superdelegate. Mr. Allen will be locked in a very tough battle this fall to unseat Republican Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate. What better way to get the the same majority of Maine democrats that supported Obama to support him as well?
I would be willing to hit the ground running to help Rep. Allen get elected to the Senate, if he was to add his weight to the majority of us already behind Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee.
How about it, Congressman Allen, would you like to be a part of Obama Nation, and have the same kind of grassroots effort behind you? We are Fired Up and Ready to Go!
Rita Moran, one of the Maine Democratic Party’s 10 superdelegates, released this statement to clarify how she intends to cast her vote.
“I believe that, as a superdelegate, I ought to represent those Mainers who went to their local caucuses. I am not now pledged to a presidential candidate, and expect to remain unpledged until it becomes clear what other superdelegates will do.
Sixty percent of those who drove through the snow, who waited for hours on lines, and filled crowded rooms to declare their presidential preference at our caucuses voted for Barack Obama, while forty percent declared for Hillary Clinton.
I believe that the minority deserves a voice, as much as the majority does. If fewer than four Maine superdelegates pledge for Senator Clinton, I will join and become the fourth. If fewer than six Maine superdelegates pledge for Senator Obama, I will join them to represent the majority opinion which, I believe, deserves the majority vote.
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There you have it from one of Maine's own...
